Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Previously under socialist rule, the country has had no defined central government control since civil war in 1991. It is one of the poorest and most violent states in the world and is considered a failed state. It has an estimated population of approximately 10 million people, and the official languages are Somali and Arabic.

Despite civil unrest, Somalia has maintained a relatively healthy informal economy that is largely based on livestock, money transfer companies and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector to the economy, but there is a gradual shift towards modern production. Somalia is also noted to have a thriving private airline industry.